UN warns of 'grim milestone' as Gaza death toll exceeds 40,000

The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 since Israel launched its war on Hamas following the group’s 7 October attack, according to a report from the Gaza Health Ministry on Thursday (15 Aug).

The ministry confirmed that 40 people had died in the past 24 hours, raising the total number of fatalities to 40,005, with over 92,401 people injured.

In addition, at least 10,000 individuals are reported missing and are believed to be trapped under the rubble, as stated by the Gaza government’s media office earlier this week.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called this situation “a direct result of a collective failure to reach a ceasefire,” in a statement on X.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also expressed deep concern, urging immediate action.

“Most of the dead are women and children,” Türk said in a statement released on Thursday (15 Aug).

“This unimaginable situation is overwhelmingly due to recurring failures by the Israeli Defense Forces to comply with the rules of war.”

He called for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an end to the illegal occupation, emphasizing the necessity of realizing the internationally agreed two-State solution.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with over 2.2 million residents facing the threat of famine and disease.

The UN agency reports that approximately 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory.

In a recent escalation, Israeli forces attacked a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 Palestinians.

The Tabeen school, which was sheltering about 6,000 displaced people, was struck as many were preparing for dawn prayers.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the attack was aimed at militants using the school as a base, stating that at least 20 fighters, including senior commanders, were among the dead.

However, Hamas political officer Izzat el Reshiq condemned the attack as a “horrific crime and a serious escalation,” denying that any combatants were killed.

In a separate incident, a Palestinian father lost his twin babies in an Israeli airstrike while he was collecting their birth certificates.

His wife and children were among at least 23 people killed in several Israeli airstrikes in his neighbourhood.

Amid the ongoing violence, a new round of ceasefire talks began in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Thursday (15 Aug).

The closed-door meeting included Israel's spy chief, along with U.S. and Egyptian counterparts and Qatar's prime minister.

Negotiations extended into the evening, with all parties expected to reconvene on Friday.

The discussions aim to end the bloodshed in Gaza and secure the release of 115 Israeli and foreign hostages.

Hamas officials were not present at Thursday's discussions, but mediators plan to consult with Hamas' negotiating team based in Doha following the meeting.